Our Team

Linda Bates

Linda Bates

Administrative Assistant

Linda Bates has been with Forsyth Futures since 2019, first volunteering at the front desk as a receptionist. She is now under the employment of Winston Salem Urban League as Forsyth Futures’ Administrative Assistant. She holds two degrees — an Associate’s degree in Human Services and a second Associate‘s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Forsyth Technical Community College. She was also employed with Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods before she retired and came to Forsyth Futures in a part-time capacity. Linda is an experienced Administrative Assistant, managing all the office work and making the Forsyth Futures’ office a friendly and inviting place to visit.

linda@forsythfutures.org

(336) 701-1700

Courtney Blue

Courtney Blue, PhD

SENIOR Data and Research Analyst

Courtney received her PhD in Sociology with a concentration in medical sociology from the University of Akron in 2018. Before joining Forsyth Futures, she was a graduate assistant and research intern in the psychiatry department at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). She also assisted the Metro Transit Authority in Akron, OH in surveying passengers for both internal and external projects.

She has experience in every step of the quantitative research process as well as some experience working with community stakeholders to help improve system processes. She enjoys working with data to help tell the story of a community; it is a story that she hopes will lead to better social conditions for everyone who lives in the community.

courtney@forsythfutures.org

(336) 701-1700 x103

Courtney Blue

Anita Galbraith

ARPA Pre-k data manager

Anita, of British / Cuban descent, spent her childhood growing up in different countries around the world. This allowed her to experience many different cultures as a child which in turn helped shape and form both her professional and personal life. Anita holds a BA in Child Development and Early Education as well as an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Anita is passionate about continuing her advocacy here at Forsyth Futures and as the Data Manager, hopes to be part of enhancing the overall quality of life for all those who live in Forsyth County.

anita@forsythfutures.org

Adam Hill

Adam Hill, M.S.

Executive Director

Adam received a Master of Science in Neuroscience from Yale University and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Binghamton University. He began his work at Forsyth Futures by performing the data management and research responsibilities for The Forsyth Promise: a community-wide education partnership focused on improving outcomes for children and students from birth to career. His role expanded to oversee the organization’s work in support of similar data driven initiatives within the community, such as Age-Friendly Forsyth and the Asset Building Coalition. Now, as Executive Director, Adam is passionate and committed to working in communities and transforming research and data into action that will yield positive outcomes for all in Forsyth County.

adam@forsythfutures.org

(336) 701-1700 x102

Elizabeth Lees

Elizabeth Perkins Lees, M.P.H.

Director of Data and Research

Elizabeth joined the Forsyth Futures team in August of 2012.  She currently serves as the Director of Data and Research.  Her previous work at Forsyth Futures includes studies on homelessness, kindergarten readiness, electoral participation, access to health care, and poverty as well as work on various Forsyth Futures Indicator Reports.  She is passionate about finding and sharing information that can support work that helps Forsyth County grow and thrive, and she enjoys answering community questions and finding new ways to collect the information people need. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in Behavioral Science and Health Education from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, where she also completed a certificate program in socio-contextual determinants of health.  She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wake Forest University.  In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, being outdoors, knitting, and playing the viola.

elizabeth@forsythfutures.org

(336) 701-1700 x101

Linda Bates

Cat Mizzi-Orrell

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Originally from New York, Cat came to Winston-Salem in 2016 to attend Wake Forest University and fell in love with the city beyond campus. During her first year at Wake Forest, she took over running the drama club at Paisley IB Magnet School, which quickly became the highlight of her college career. Cat graduated cum laude in 2020 with a B.A. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and minors in Theatre and Health and Human Services. After graduating, she realized she wasn’t ready to leave Winston-Salem and decided to make this city her new home with her now-husband, their dog, cat, and two bunnies.

Cat returned to Wake Forest in 2021 as the Communications and Events Specialist for the Office of Sustainability, and though she loved her time working for her alma mater, her dream was to work in a position dedicated to the Forsyth County community. Her passion for justice and equity-focused work brought her to Forsyth Futures, and she joined the team as their newest member in February 2023. Cat couldn’t be more invigorated to work alongside her intelligent and dedicated colleagues to continue to understand the systemic challenges facing Forsyth County and inform positive changes to foster a more equitable and just county for all.

catherine@forsythfutures.org

Linda Bates

Chinaemeze (Kelsey) Okoro

We Heal Together Research Manager

While in undergrad Kelsey served as a dual enrolled student at Winston-Salem State University and Wake Forest and obtained a bachelors of science in exercise science from Winston-Salem State University. After his matriculation through undergrad Kelsey went on to complete his Master of Science in Psychology at the University of Phoenix. Currently Kelsey is completing his Ph.D. in Psychology from Walden University. From his college years spent here in Forsyth County Kelsey has grown to consider this area as an extension of home and he enjoys providing support and volunteering in the local community. 

When he’s not working or plugging away at school work Kelsey enjoys being active and traveling with family and friends.

chinaemeze@forsythfutures.org

Tyler Sparks headshot

Tyler Sparks

Communications DIRECTOR

Tyler received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2009, double majoring in Creative Writing and Communications and receiving a Certificate in Publishing. In the 14 years since then, he has worked as a graphic designer, webmaster, creative director, user interface designer, account manager, and communications director. He is currently based in San Diego, California.

In addition to his professional roles, Tyler was the founder and President of a small Forsyth County nonprofit called Sustainable+Ardmore, for which he received an ECHO award from the Winston-Salem Foundation. He has also owned and operated a small farm in Forsyth County. Tyler is passionate about working with an extremely smart and talented team of thinkers to help our community better understand itself and move toward solving our most urgent crises around racial and socioeconomic equity.

tyler@forsythfutures.org

(336) 341-0820

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